Community Gardens Grow for Health

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What can community gardens bring?

Not only can community gardens help people grow healthy food, it can also build and connect a community. In Los Angeles, Calif. (48.4% Latino) the Los Angeles Community Garden Council (LACGC) is helping to manage over 40 community gardens for local communities.

Julie Beals, the executive director of LACGC explained to SeedStock, that the gardens have helped lower body mass index (BMI) of residents where the gardens are and have helped reduce crime.

Beals also explained that members are getting more exercise, property values are increasing with the gardens as well.

The LACGC also offers nutrition classes, helping members of the gardens learn about the health benefits of what they are growing.

Latino communities need access to healthier foods, as studies show that many Latino families have one-third as many supermarkets as non-Latino ones, limiting access to healthy foods.

Communities that build gardens together, work together and learn how to eat healthier together can be helpful in connecting with Latino families and all families to grow healthier lives.

Read more about the need for healthier foods for Latino neighborhoods by clicking here.